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Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Strawberry Balsamic Cake

Strawberries are beneficial when added to our diet because they are filled with antioxidants. Being one of the finest berries it's packed with vitamins C and K they are also enriched with fibre,manganese, potassium and folic acid. Strawberries also played a significant role in history, it is said they were given to newlyweds as an aphrodisiac. They were served for breakfast with sour cream. Now, that I provided a bit of information and since we all love strawberries in our family. I recreated the Strawberry Balsamic Cake that I saw on a Greek TV show, of course I have added my own touch to it. This is the very first time I created a cake from scratch and I'm bringing it to you step by step as I create this fabulous Strawberry Balsamic Cake for my husband's mini Birthday Party! everyone loved it ;)

Cake Base

Ingredients

*You should prepare this the night before, that way you will have less crumbs.

For the base of the cake, In the original recipe the chef used a ready made cake base. I used my experience along with some research, and I came up with this simple and easy cake base. You will need to separate the egg whites from the egg yolks. Whip your egg whites in a thick meringue add a few drops of lemon, this will thicken the whites. When meringue is ready set it aside. In a separate bowl add your egg yolks and sugar and mix on high speed until the mixture is fluffy. Add vanilla ( I used powder vanilla, you can use extract vanilla) and your baking powder and mix for about 10 minutes. A picture is worth a 1,000 words so follow along. :)

The flour will be used in the meringue.

Add the meringue with the flour interchanging between the two and mix with a spatula.

When done mixing add your yolk mixture and mix for another 10 minutes.

*TIP: In the mixture you don't have to add vanilla extract you can add what ever you like, you can even make it chocolate flavored.

Take a big pan, place parchment paper underneath, take your ring cake(as I like to call it) brush with butter then add your batter. Place in oven and let it bake for about 50 minutes at 350 Farhenheit. Insert a toothpick inside the base and if nothing sticks to the toothpick it's ready.

This is how they should look when they are baked place them in the refrigerator and use them the next day.

I made three cake bases the night before making the Birthday Cake. If the base is thick you can cut in half.

* Using a plate, place it on the cake base and slowly cut around you will use this piece to make a center for the marmalade. Set aside and make your filling

Secondly, The marmalade: I also made this the night before.
Cut your one pound strawberries into small pieces.

Add your mavrodaphne/brandy, sugar, vanilla extract and strawberries in a flat frying pan. Cook on high heat for about 10 min. not more than 15 min. don't over cook them.

Thirdly, prepare your filling. In a separate bowl add cream cheese, sugar and vanilla extract, beat for about 10 minutes. I used a German type of cheese.

Then add your whipping cream mix for another 10 minutes or until it thickens and it becomes fluffy.
When ready set aside.

Fourthly, make your syrup for the cake base.

Finally, Make your syrup, add sugar, water and cinammonugar melts sticks. Boil on high heat until sugar melts.

CAKE PREPARATION AND DECORATION

Add a little bit of cream at the center of your platter, so when you place your cake base it will not slide left and right. This is a tip from the T.V.Chef.

First, take your syrup and brush all three cake bases. This make your base moist whether you use fondant or any type of frosting for covering. TIP: I also brushed it with some brandy to give it an extra tangy taste. I always like to brush the bases with whatever type of alcohol it is compatible.

Take 500 grams of strawberries and cut them in half and decorate as shown in the picture below.

The ring that you cut from the previous picture you use it as a center, so when you place the other layer and it will not fall.

Then you add your marmalade and around the strawberries add the strawberry balsamic vinegar you could also add in the center if you like,I just added it on the strawberries.

Add your cream filling.

Add your second layer and repeat the process

And your cake is ready!

Cut a piece and serve, top it off with Strawberry Balsamic Vinegar and a side of fresh strawberries.